Residence Life

Hearty Maine Hello, Blackbears!

In just a little over a month, we will be welcoming you to campus as you move into your residence hall and kick off Black Bear Bridge Week! To get ready for your arrival on campus, please read this email and pay attention to this helpful checklist so your move-in can go smoothly and you can know what to expect from us when you arrive on campus. Yes, we know it’s a little lengthy, but it’s all super important!


We also recommend checking out the official website for Black Bear Bridge Week– which has tons of important information for new students arriving early to campus for that week! A full schedule will be available in August!
 
So… When Do I Get to Move to Campus?

MAINE HELLO: New students ONLY who are partaking in Black Bear Bridge Week (first-year and those transferring from another school):
o August 24^th, 2026: 8:00am-4:00pm

To every extent possible, we highly recommend students arrive alphabetically based on last name at the following times:

A-D: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

E-K: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

L-P: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Q-Z: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

New students who OPT OUT of Black Bear Bridge Week:
o   August 28^th, 2026:8:00am-4:00pm**
If you do choose to opt out of Black Bear Bridge Week, you should do so BEFORE August 1, 2026. If you opt out of Black Bear Bridge Week, you ARE NOT permitted to return to campus before this time or partake in Black Bear Bridge Week Events.

**- Maine Hello Volunteers will ONLY be available on 8/24/26


Returning students (upper-class):
o   August 29^th – August 30^th, 2026: (10:00am – 12:00am)

IMPORTANT: Other residential students who are needed on campus early (Resident Assistants, pre-season athletes, band members, Black Bear Bound participants, Maine Hello volunteers, etc.) should first check with their trip leader, coach, or program director to determine the specific date and time of arrival.
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Pre-Arrival Checklist: Do Stuff Before You Get Here!

o   Share this email with any family members, friends, etc., helping you move in!
o   Communicate with your roommate if you haven’t already. Think about who wants to bring what. Our pals at UMaine Housing have a great guide on 
What to Bring and What Not to Bring.
o   Review the Guide to Campus Living. These are policies that you have to follow while living in the residence halls. It’s your responsibility to know them!
o  Frequently check your school G-mail (@maine.edu) account for important updates and information. If you’re enrolled in a Research Learning Experience during Black Bear Bridge Week, your program coordinator will likely send any updates to that email address.
o   If you haven’t already, make sure to complete the Black Bear Bridge Week Intake Form.
o   If you haven’t already, set up your Mobile MaineCard. This will save you A LOT of time during your move-in!
o   Purchase your parking pass. Passes purchased ahead of time can be picked up at Parking Services on Maine Hello.
o   If you do choose to opt out of Black Bear Bridge Week, you should do so BEFORE August 1, 2026.                                     
o  Mark all bags, boxes, and suitcases with your last name, and residence hall name and room number (i.e., “Smith Oxford 120”) before coming to campus for Maine Hello!


Navigating Campus on Move-In Day (8/24/26)

1. We ask that, to the best of your ability, you arrive on campus on MAINE HELLO in the timeframes above.

2. Read the MAP attached to this email, which details your assigned route to campus (A, B, or C). It is REALLY IMPORTANT that you follow the correct route as we close and redirect many campus roads, thus making rerouting misdirected traffic difficult. The detailed routes are only in effect for Monday, August 24, 2026 between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Students arriving on different days (see above) or outside of this time frame can simply drive directly to their assigned building and check in at the front desk.

3. If you are bringing more than one vehicle to campus during Maine Hello, please make sure that the driver in the first vehicle has the information in this document. Please let traffic personnel know that you have more than one vehicle so they can be kept together.

4. As you approach your assigned building, you may be redirected into a nearby staging area to wait for a space at your building to unload. Staff members in these parking lots will verify your housing assignment to ensure that you are in the correct location and may be able to answer questions while you wait. Please be patient – there are a lot of you and we work very hard to get everyone through the line and unpack as quickly as possible!

5. Once you arrive at your building, we ask that a driver stay with each vehicle at all times. As soon as each vehicle is unloaded, we will ask for the vehicle to move so that we can continue to unload vehicles in an efficient manner. The driver will be directed to park in the CCA or Belgrade lot and walk back to the residence hall.

6. If you are arriving on your own, or you will not have a family member with you who can stay with the car while you are checking in, please speak with a staff member outside your residence hall. This person will walk you to the front desk and allow you to go to the front of the line in order to expedite your check-in process. 


7. As the student, you should go directly to the front desk of your building and get in line to check in. You will need a photo ID in order to check in (again, make sure your Mobile MaineCard is set up before you get here!).


8. Once you check in at the front desk of your residence hall with Residence Life staff, you will be able to begin moving your items to your room.


9. If your family will be arriving on campus without you (you will be on a school trip, at practice, etc.), you will need to work with your trip leader or coach to determine what time you can plan to meet your family. Your family will not be able to check into or access your residence hall room without you present, as it is a liability to allow anyone except the person whose name is on the housing license into the room. 

10. Please note that pets are not allowed in the residence halls. We are also a smoke-free, tobacco-free, and cannabis-free campus.


11. We kindly ask parents, family members, and anyone who accompanied new students for the day to depart campus no later than 4:00pm so we can focus on welcoming our newest Black Bears!
 

Stuff to Do Once You’re Moved In (Check in for Bridge Week before 4:00pm on 8/24!!!)

o  Shortly after officially checking in at your residence hall, please make your way to 
Colin’s Center of the Arts (CCA) and officially check in for Black Bear Bridge Week. If you have people with you help you move, they may remain behind while you go check in. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO DO THIS BEFORE 4:00pm. Here you’ll get your schedule, some goodies, and your name tag for Bridge Week!


o   Attend your opening floor meeting at 4:30pm! Your RAs will let you know the specific locations for this once you’re here.


o   Make sure to refer to your schedule of where you need to be during Black Bear Bridge week. A full schedule of events is being made available in August. If ever not sure where to go, check in with Residence Life staff in the halls and we’ll get you pointed in the right direction!
 

And that’s it! Please be safe in getting here. If you’re driving, make sure to wear your seat belt, abide by all speed limits, and if you’re traveling a good distance, pull into a gas station or rest area if you need a break.
 
We know this is a lot of information, and please know we are all here to make your move-in both easy and a memorable! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Department of Residence Life at 207.581.4801 or email Shane Smith, Assistant Director of Residence Life, at shane.p.smith@maine.edu.
 

We can’t wait to see you!
 
Sincerely,
 
Maine Hello Committee